Fluid absorbent surgical device for trocars

ABSTRACT

A system for absorbing fluid material on trocar surfaces is provided. The system comprises a trocar and a cleaning instrument having at least two ends with an absorbent area at one end of the cleaning instrument. The absorbent area has a first outer diameter at a first part of the absorbent area and a second smaller outer diameter at a second part of the absorbent area, such that at least a portion of the absorbent area has an outer diameter larger than an inner diameter of the trocar. When the absorbent area is inserted inside the trocar, the absorbent area comes into contact with an inner wall of the trocar and absorbs fluid along the inner wall. Furthermore, when a part of the absorbent area is passed through a tip at the distal end of the trocar, the absorbent area absorbs fluid along an outer wall of the tip.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application60/841,963, filed Sep. 1, 2006, which is incorporated herein byreference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic surgery is a form of minimally invasive, endoscopic surgeryperformed in the abdomen. With laparoscopic surgery, general anesthesiais given. A small incision is usually made below or inside theumbilicus. The abdomen is then insufflated with an inert gas, such ascarbon dioxide, by inserting a special needle or a trocar through theumbilicus. A trocar, also called a trocar sleeve or cannula, is aspecially designed tube, usually 5 or 10 mm in diameter, with a valvethrough which a surgeon can insert special instruments. Insufflationinduces a state of pneumoperitoneum, which enhances the surgeon's viewand ability to make manipulations. If a special needle is used, thesurgeon removes the needle after an adequate volume of gas isinsufflated into the abdominal cavity and inserts a trocar. The valve inthe trocar prevents the inert gas from escaping through the trocar. Thishelps to maintain the state of pneumoperitoneum. An endoscope, alsocalled a laparoscope, is then placed through the trocar. The laparoscopeallows the surgeon to visualize the pelvic and abdominal organs on avideo monitor. Additional smaller incisions are made in the abdomen toallow placement of additional trocars as needed. The additional trocarsare for the surgeon to place specially designed surgical instrumentsinto the abdominal cavity, allowing the surgeon to carry out the sameprocedure as in open surgery.

For patients, the advantages of laparoscopic surgery over open surgeryinclude reduced trauma to the body, reduced blood loss, and smallersurgical scars. Patients also leave the hospital sooner afterlaparoscopic and return to normal activities sooner than withconventional open surgery. Similar minimally invasive approaches, suchas thoracoscopic surgery, may be performed on other areas of the body.These approaches share some of the same advantages and challenges aslaparoscopic surgery.

SUMMARY

These and other features will be more clearly understood from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings and claims.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a system for absorbing fluidmaterial on trocar surfaces is provided. The system comprises a trocarand a cleaning instrument having at least two ends with an absorbentarea at one end of the cleaning instrument. The absorbent area has afirst outer diameter at a first part of the absorbent area and a secondsmaller outer diameter at a second part of the absorbent area, such thatat least a portion of the absorbent area has an outer diameter largerthan an inner diameter of the trocar. When the absorbent area isinserted inside the trocar, the absorbent area comes into contact withan inner wall of the trocar and absorbs fluid along the inner wall.Furthermore, when a part of the absorbent area is passed through a tipat the distal end of the trocar, the absorbent area absorbs fluid alongan outer wall of the tip.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, a method of absorbing fluidmaterial on a surface of a trocar is provided. The method comprisesinserting an absorbent area of a cleaning instrument inside the trocar,the absorbent area having an outer diameter larger than an insidediameter of the trocar. When the absorbent area is inserted inside thetrocar, the absorbent area comes into contact with an inner wall of thetrocar and absorbs fluid along the inner wall. Also, when a part of theabsorbent area is passed through a tip at the distal end of the trocar,the absorbent area absorbs fluid along an outer wall of the tip.Furthermore, the absorbent area does not come into significant contactwith bodily fluid that is not gathered on the inner or outer wall of thetrocar.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, a method of creating a surgicalinstrument is provided. The method comprises providing an absorbent areaon at least one end of a handle, the absorbent area comprising aplurality of absorbent discs with one or more of the absorbent discsforming a first part of the absorbent area having an outer diameter thatapproximates an inside diameter of a trocar and one or more of theabsorbent discs forming a second part of the absorbent area having anouter diameter that is at least the outer diameter of the trocar. Themethod further comprises inserting the absorbent area into the trocarhaving an inner wall, an outer wall, and distal end. The method alsocomprises absorbing fluid along the inner wall of the trocar using theedges of at least one of the plurality of absorbent discs absorb fluid.The method further comprises inserting at least one of the absorbentdiscs forming the absorbent area through a tip at the distal end of thetrocar and absorbing fluid along the outer wall of the trocar at the tipof the distal end of the trocar using at least one of the absorbentdiscs inserted through the tip at the distal end of the trocar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is nowmade to the following brief description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like referencenumerals represent like parts.

FIGS. 1A to 1D illustrate the components of a surgical device accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 2A to 2D illustrate a mechanism for securing the components of thesurgical device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 3A to 3C illustrate embodiments of the disclosure having anabsorbent area at one end of the surgical device.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate further embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts fluid materials on the surfaces of a trocar insertedacross an abdominal wall.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a surgical device according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method of making a fluid absorbent surgical deviceaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method of sweeping the trocar using a surgicaldevice according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood at the outset that although an illustrativeimplementation of one or more embodiments are provided below, thedisclosed systems and/or methods may be implemented using any number oftechniques, whether currently known or in existence. The disclosureshould in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations,drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplarydesigns and implementations illustrated and described herein, but may bemodified within the scope of the appended claims along with their fullscope of equivalents.

The key element in laparoscopic surgery is the use of a laparoscope toview and illuminate the operative field. The laparoscope comprises atelescopic rod lens system that is connected to a video camera (singlechip or three chip). The rod is made of a light conducting material thatis used to pass the image from the tip of the rod to the camera head.The rod is passed through the trocar and into the abdominal cavity whereit transmits the light and images from inside the abdomen to the camera.The camera then transmits the light and images to a video monitor forviewing.

When the laparoscope passes through the trocar, fluid materialsdeposited on the trocar during insertion have a tendency to pass ontothe lens of the laparoscope and obscure the view of the camera. Fluidmaterials can pass onto the lens as it passes through a valve. Fluidmaterials can also pass onto the lens, for example, as it passes throughthe inner walls of the trocar. Fluid materials along the inner walls andthe tip of the trocar can transfer to the lens by way of capillaryaction due to the fluid material's surface tension.

When fluid materials obscure the lens, the laparoscope must be removedfrom inside the trocar, and the lens is cleaned outside of the abdominalcavity. However, as long as fluid materials remain inside the trocar,the lens will become obscured immediately upon re-insertion into thetrocar. Again, the laparoscope will then be removed from inside thetrocar, and the lens cleaned outside of the abdominal cavity. Thisprocess is repeated several times until the lens no longer becomesobscured with fluid materials. Cleaning the lens repeatedly until it nolonger becomes obscured with fluid materials increases the total timethat it takes to perform the laparoscopy. This increases the amount oftime that the patient is under anesthesia as well as the amount of timethe instruments are inside the abdominal cavity without being directlyvisualized.

Accordingly, the disclosure teaches a surgical device for keeping alaparoscopic lens free of obstructing fluid materials by absorbing fluidmaterial from the surfaces of the trocar. The surgical device includesan absorbent area that absorbs fluid material from the surfaces of thetrocar, including the valves, the inner wall, a distal tip of thetrocar, and an outer wall of the trocar. In one embodiment, theabsorbent area comprises a plurality of sterile cotton discs. Theplurality of sterile cotton discs comprises a first group of discs witha diameter slightly larger than the inside diameter of the trocar and asecond group of discs with a diameter slightly larger than the outsidediameter of the trocar. When the absorbent area of the surgical deviceis inserted inside the trocar, the absorbent area absorbs fluid materialalong any valve that it passes through and along the inner wall of thetrocar. The absorbent area also absorbs fluid material along the outerwall of the trocar as it passes through the tip of the trocar. In someembodiments, the absorbent area also incorporates one or more beads toseparate some of the discs to allow flexibility along the edges.

Because the surgical device of the disclosure absorbs fluid materialfrom inside the trocar, it may be used to reduce the number of passesneeded to remove fluid materials from the laparoscopic lens. Reducingthe number of passes reduces the total time that it takes to perform thelaparoscopy, which reduces the amount of time that the patient is underanesthesia as well as the amount of time the instruments are inside theabdominal cavity without being directly visualized.

FIGS. 1A to 1D illustrate the components of a surgical device accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 1A depicts a handle 102. Thehandle 102 is made, for example, of a type of plastic that is commonlyused in many surgical instruments. The handle 102 is shown as having afirst part 104, which has a first diameter 106, and a second part 108,which has a second diameter 110. In this embodiment, the first part 104has a larger diameter than the second part 108. For example, in oneembodiment, the first part 104 of the handle may be approximately 30 cm.in length with a diameter of 4 mm. The second part 108 may beapproximately 6 cm. in length with a diameter of 2 mm.

Top and side views of a first absorbent disc 112 is shown in FIG. 1B.FIG. 1C shows a second absorbent disc 114, and FIG. 1D shows a spacer116. The first absorbent disc 112 and the second absorbent disc 114 aremade, for example, of sterile cotton, and the spacer 116 is a bead madeof a type of plastic that is commonly used in many surgical instruments.The term “disc” refers to a generally circular object with a height or athickness that is less than its total diameter, i.e. any generallycircular object with some amount of dimensional flattening to make itless than a perfect sphere. In this embodiment, the first absorbent disc112, the second absorbent disc 114, and the spacer 116 have an innerdiameter that is approximately the same as the second diameter 110 ofthe second part 108. The first absorbent disc 112 is shown as having anouter diameter 118, the second absorbent disc 114 is shown as having anouter diameter 120, and the spacer 116 is shown as having an outerdiameter 122. In this embodiment, the outer diameter 120 of the secondabsorbent disc 114 is larger than the outer diameter 118 of the firstabsorbent disc 112 with the spacer 116 having the smallest outerdiameter 122. The first absorbent disc 112 and the second absorbent disc114 have roughly the same thickness, and the spacer 116 has asignificantly greater thickness than the first absorbent disc 112 andthe second absorbent disc 114. For example, in one embodiment, the innerdiameter of the first absorbent disc 112, the second absorbent disc 114,and the spacer 116 would be the same as the diameter of the second part108, i.e. 2 mm., to allow placement onto the second part 108. The firstabsorbent disc 112 would have an outer diameter 118 of approximately 6mm. The second absorbent disc 114 would have an outer diameter 120 ofapproximately 7 mm. The spacer 116 would have an outer diameter 122 ofapproximately 4 mm. and a thickness of approximately 1 mm. Suchdimensions could be implemented, for example, for use with a trocarhaving a 5 mm. inner diameter.

FIGS. 2A to 2D illustrate a mechanism for securing the absorbent discsand the spacers onto the handle according to an embodiment of thedisclosure. FIG. 2A shows the second part 108 of the handle 102 with twolegs 200 a and 200 b. In this figure, the legs 200 a and 200 b are shownin an unflexed or uncompressed state. In this state, the legs 200 a and200 b form a distance 202 from the tip of the leg 200 a to the tip ofthe leg 200 b. The distance 202 is larger than the inner diameter of theabsorbent discs and the spacers such that when the absorbent discs andthe spacers are placed onto the second part 108, they cannot slip pastthe legs 200 a and 200 b and become loose from the second part 108.

FIG. 2B shows the legs 200 a and 200 b in a flexed or a compressedstate. In this state, the legs 200 a and 200 b form a distance 204 fromthe tip of the leg 200 a to the tip of the leg 200 b. The distance 204is smaller than the inner diameter of the absorbent discs and thespacers and allows the absorbent discs and the spacers to be placed ontothe second part 108. FIG. 2C illustrates a first absorbent disc 112being placed onto the second part 108 by compressing the legs 200 a and200 b to a distance 204 and slipping the first absorbent disc 112 pastthe two legs 200 a and 200 b. Once all of the desired absorbent discsand spacers have been placed onto the second part 108, the legs 200 aand 200 b are released and return to their unflexed or uncompressedstate as shown in FIG. 2D. In this state, the legs 200 a and 200 bmaintain the distance 202 from the tip of the leg 200 a to the tip ofthe leg 200 b. This prevents the absorbent discs and spacers fromslipping past the legs 200 a and 200 b and becoming loose from thesecond part 108.

Although the use of the legs 200 a and 200 b is shown as one embodimentfor securing the absorbent discs and the spacers onto the second part108 of the handle 102, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognizethat alternate methods or systems for securing the absorbents discs andthe spacers onto the second part 108 may be used including the use ofadhesives.

FIGS. 3A to 3C illustrate embodiments of the disclosure having anabsorbent area at one end of the surgical device. In FIG. 3A, anabsorbent area 302 is formed along the second part 108 of the handle102. In this embodiment, the absorbent area 302 is formed by placing aplurality of first absorbent discs 112 along the inner portion of thesecond part 108. A plurality of second absorbent discs 114 is thenplaced along the outer portion of the second part 108. The plurality ofsecond absorbent discs 114 are separated by spacers 116. The spacers 116provide the separation that allows the edges of the second absorbentdiscs 114 to bend and flex. The advantage of this particular embodimentis that the larger second absorbent discs 114 are the first to contactany fluid materials along the trocar. Therefore, the larger absorbentdiscs 114 will absorb the bulk of the fluid materials as the surgicaldevice is inserted inside the trocar. The plurality of first absorbentdiscs 112 will follow behind and absorb any fluid materials that are notabsorbed by the plurality of absorbent discs 114. In FIG. 3B, theabsorbent area 302 is formed by placing the plurality of secondabsorbent discs 114 along the inner portion of the second part 108 andthe plurality of first absorbent discs 112 along the outer portion ofthe second part 108. Again, the plurality of second absorbent discs 114are separated by spacers 116 to allow flexibility along the edges of theplurality of second absorbent discs 114. The advantage of thisparticular embodiment is that the larger absorbent discs 114 will followbehind the smaller first absorbent discs 112 and provide more thansufficient absorbency to absorb any fluid materials that are notabsorbed by the plurality of first absorbent discs 112. In FIG. 3C, theabsorbent area 302 is formed by placing the plurality of secondabsorbent discs 114 in the middle of the second part 108 and theplurality of first absorbent discs 112 along the inner and outerportions of the second part 108. By providing a plurality of firstabsorbent discs 112 before and after the plurality of second absorbentdiscs 114, this embodiment provides the advantages of the twoembodiments shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate further embodiments of the disclosure. InFIG. 4A, the surgical device is shown as having an absorbent area 402 atboth ends of the handle 102. In FIG. 4B, a grip 404 is provided at anend of the handle 102. The grip 404 may be formed as an integral part ofthe handle 102 or may be formed separately from the handle 102. The grip404 is formed, for example, from a type of plastic that is commonly usedin many surgical instruments. The grip 404 makes it easier to use thesurgical device by providing a means for holding the surgicalinstrument. A marker 406 is also shown in this embodiment. The marker406 is used to indicate an optimal distance 408 for inserting thecleaning instrument inside a trocar. Such a distance is far enough toallow any fluid along the outer wall of the distal tip of a trocar to beabsorbed without being inserted so far that the absorbent discs of thesurgical device become saturated by coming into significant contact withfluid material that is not gathered on the trocar surfaces. Significantcontact may be taken as having more than fifty percent of the absorbedfluid materials come from contact with bodily fluids that are notgathered on the surfaces of the trocar. For example, the optimaldistance may be from 28 to 30 cm. for a trocar with a length of 29 cm.

Although the above embodiments describe absorbent discs as one way offorming an absorbent area on the surgical device, one of ordinary skillin the art would recognize that alternate systems and methods ofproviding an absorbent surface along the valves, the inner wall, and thetip of the trocar may be used. For example, the absorbent area could beformed with a continuous absorbent surface along its exterior.Furthermore, one of ordinary skill in the art would also recognize thatany method or system for removing fluid materials from the surfaces ofthe trocar could be used. For instance, inserting a surface that pushesor squeezes, rather than actually absorbing, the fluid materials fromthe surfaces could also be used. As one example, a water-repellant areamay be formed by a plurality of rubber, or other water-resistant, discs.These water-resistant discs would have flexibility along their edgesthat would allow them to bend and flex along the surfaces of the trocarwith a proximity that was close enough to push or squeeze any fluidmaterials from a surface or multiple surfaces of the trocar. Also, whilethe above embodiments describe a bead as one way of separating theabsorbent discs, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize thatalternate systems and methods of providing separation between theabsorbent discs may be used. For example, one could separate the secondabsorbent discs 114 simply by placing one or more of the first absorbentdiscs 112 between each of the second absorbent discs 114. Furthermore,while the above embodiments disclose specific orientations of theabsorbent discs and the spacers, one of ordinary skill in the art wouldrecognize that any number and/or combination of the absorbent discs andthe spacers may be used. For example, spacers could also be placedbetween the first absorbent discs 112 as well as the second absorbentdiscs 114.

As stated earlier, fluid materials become deposited on the surfaces of atrocar once it is inserted across an abdominal wall. As shown in FIG. 5,fluid materials 512 have become deposited along an outer valve 502, aninner valve 504, an inner wall 506, and an outer wall 508 of the distaltip 510 of a trocar 500 after it has been inserted across an abdominalwall 514. The distal end or tip for the purposes of this disclosurerefers to the end of the trocar that is inserted into the body cavity.In this embodiment, the trocar has an inner diameter 516 and an outerdiameter 518.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a surgical device according to anembodiment of the disclosure. In this embodiment, a fluid absorbentsurgical device 600 is inserted into the trocar 500. The surgical device600 has been inserted beyond the outer valve 502 and the inner valve 504of the trocar 500 and has absorbed the fluid materials 512 along the twovalves. The surgical device 600 has also been inserted along the innerwall 506 of the trocar 500 and has also absorbed the fluid materials 512along the inner wall 506. As shown in this embodiment, the plurality offirst absorbent discs 112 has an outer diameter that is larger than theinner diameter 516 of the trocar 500. This allows the edges of theplurality of first absorbent discs 112 to sweep the inner wall 506 andabsorb any fluid materials 512 that is along the inner wall 506. Theplurality of second absorbent discs 114 are shown as having an outerdiameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the trocar 500. Thisprovides the outer edges of the plurality of second absorbent discs 114with the length needed to absorb the fluid materials 512 along the outerwall 508 of the tip 510 of the trocar 500. The marker 406 is used toindicate an optimal distance for inserting the surgical device 600inside the trocar 500. As stated earlier, the optimal distance is farenough to allow any fluid along the outer wall of the tip 510 to beabsorbed without being inserted so far that the absorbent discs of thesurgical device become saturated by coming into significant contact withfluid material that is not gathered on the trocar surfaces. Again,significant contact may be taken as having more than fifty percent ofthe absorbed fluid materials come from contact with bodily fluids thatare not gathered on the surfaces of the trocar.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method 700 of making a fluid absorbent surgicaldevice according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In this embodiment,an absorbent area is created by placing a plurality of absorbent discson at least one end of a handle (block 702). The plurality of absorbentdiscs includes a first group of absorbent discs having an outer diameterthat is larger than the inner diameter of the trocar to be swept. Theplurality of absorbent discs also includes a second group of absorbentdiscs having an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter ofthe trocar. Two or more discs of the second group of absorbent discs areseparated to allow flexibility at the edges of the absorbent discs(block 704). A grip is provided at a second end of the handle (block706). A marker is also provided along the handle to indicate an optimaldistance for inserting the absorbent area inside the trocar (block 708).

FIG. 8 illustrates a method 800 of sweeping the trocar using a surgicaldevice according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In this embodiment,the trocar is swept by inserting the absorbent area through the outerand inner valves of the trocar (block 802). This will absorb any fluidmaterials along the inner and outer valves. The inner wall of the trocaris also swept by inserting the absorbent area along the inner wall ofthe trocar (block 804). Because the absorbent area will have an outerdiameter larger than the inner diameter of the trocar, the edges of theabsorbent area will brush along the inner walls of the trocar and absorbany fluid materials along the inner walls. The outer wall along a distaltip of the trocar is also swept by inserting at least a portion of theabsorbent area past the tip of the trocar (block 806). Because at leastpart of the absorbent area that is inserted beyond the tip of the trocarhas a larger diameter than the outer diameter of the trocar, the edgesof the absorbent area will extend beyond the tip of the trocar andabsorb fluid materials along the outer wall of the tip of the trocar.

Although the use of the surgical device of the disclosure is describedin the context of laparoscopic surgery, one of ordinary skill in the artwould recognize that it could also be used in other endoscopic orminimally invasive procedures, such as thoracoscopic surgery.

While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure,it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods may beembodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spiritor scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is notto be limited to the details given herein. For example, the variouselements or components may be combined or integrated in another systemor certain features may be omitted, or not implemented.

Also, techniques, systems, subsystems and methods described andillustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may becombined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, ormethods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.Other items shown or discussed as coupled or directly coupled orcommunicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicatingthrough some interface, device, or intermediate component whetherelectrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes,substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in theart and could be made without departing from the spirit and scopedisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for absorbing fluid material on trocarsurfaces, comprising: a trocar; a cleaning instrument having at leasttwo ends; and an absorbent area comprising a plurality of separateindividual absorbent discs at one end of the cleaning instrument;wherein each of the plurality of separate individual absorbent discscomprises two faces, an edge, and a hole through the two faces throughwhich part of the cleaning instrument passes; wherein the absorbent areahas a first outer diameter at a first part of the absorbent area and asecond smaller outer diameter at a second part of the absorbent area,such that at least a portion of the absorbent area has an outer diameterlarger than an inner diameter of the trocar; wherein when the absorbentarea is inserted inside the trocar, the absorbent area comes intocontact with an inner wall of the trocar and absorbs fluid along theinner wall; and wherein when a part of the absorbent area is passedthrough a tip at a distal end of the trocar, the absorbent area absorbsfluid along an outer wall of the tip.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinthe trocar is used to insert an endoscope into a body cavity.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a second absorbent area at asecond end of the cleaning instrument.
 4. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a marker along the cleaning instrument to indicate an optimaldistance for inserting the cleaning instrument inside the trocar.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a grip at a second end of thecleaning instrument.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the absorbentarea has the second outer diameter at two ends of the absorbent area andthe first outer diameter in the middle of the absorbent area.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the plurality of separate individualabsorbent discs are sterile cotton discs.
 8. The system of claim 1,wherein two or more of the plurality of separate individual absorbentdiscs are separated by spacers.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein one ormore of the plurality of separate individual absorbent discs have thefirst outer diameter and one or more of the plurality of separateindividual absorbent discs have the second smaller outer diameter.
 10. Asystem for absorbing fluid material on trocar surfaces, comprising: atrocar; a cleaning instrument having at least two ends; and an absorbentarea comprising a plurality of separate individual absorbent discs atone end of the cleaning instrument; wherein each of the plurality ofseparate individual absorbent discs comprises two faces, an edge, and ahole through the two faces through which part of the cleaning instrumentpasses; wherein one or more of the plurality of separate individualabsorbent discs form a first part of the absorbent area having a firstouter diameter that approximates an inside diameter of the trocar;wherein the one or more of the plurality of separate individualabsorbent discs form a second part of the absorbent area having a secondouter diameter that is at least an outer diameter of the trocar; andwherein the absorbent area has the first outer diameter at two ends ofthe absorbent area and the second outer diameter in a middle of theabsorbent area.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein when the absorbentarea is inserted inside the trocar, the absorbent area comes intocontact with an inner wall of the trocar and absorbs fluid along theinner wall.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein when the second part ofthe absorbent area is passed through a tip at a distal end of thetrocar, the second part of the absorbent area absorbs fluid along anouter wall of the tip.
 13. The system of claim 10, wherein at least onedisc from the one or more of the plurality of separate individualabsorbent discs from the second part of the absorbent area is bounded onat least one side by a spacer.
 14. The system of claim 10, wherein thetrocar is used to insert an endoscope into a body cavity.
 15. The systemof claim 10, further comprising a second absorbent area at a second endof the cleaning instrument.
 16. The system of claim 10, furthercomprising a marker along the cleaning instrument to indicate an optimaldistance for inserting the cleaning instrument inside the trocar. 17.The system of claim 10, further comprising a grip at a second end of thecleaning instrument.
 18. The system of claim 10, wherein the pluralityof separate individual absorbent discs are sterile cotton discs.
 19. Thesystem of claim 10, wherein two or more of the plurality of separateindividual absorbent discs are separated by spacers.